Georgioupolis and Vrises Travel Guides
Some of our favourite places when staying in the Apokoronas Region
Emerging in the early 20th century, Vrisses used to be the stopover point for merchants and other travelers, offering accommodation and board before they would set off on their often arduous journey through the mountains to Chora Sfakion. The name “Vrises” means “springs” in Greek, referring to the many water springs and rivers in the area. There are several hiking trails that lead along the Boutakas river and through the surrounding hills, ideal for lovely walks surrounded by nature. The Apokoronas Region also has several historic churches and chapels and other sights worth visiting. Georgioupolis’ sandy beach a short drive away is a stunning Blue Flag Beach with several quieter stretches for those looking for a little more solitude.
Near the villages of Vrisses and Georgioupolis, you can find the largest natural lake in Crete. It is located between the slopes of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) and the fertile plain of Georgioupolis and surrounded by verdant countryside. The village of Kournas can be found approx. 2.5km south of Georgioupolis beach. Down by the river in the harbour, where the fishermen with their colourful boats and nets add a tangy seaside aroma to the village atmosphere, it is possible to hire a boat and paddle upstream towards Lake Kournas, spotting turtles and fish as you drift by.
The beautiful lake is fed by underground springs, it is around 1.2 square kilometres in size and up to 22 metres deep and an important habitat for a variety of fish, including carp and eels, as well as for turtles. You can find different water birds such as herons, cormorants and ducks here, as the calm waters and rich vegetation, such as tamarisks, oleander and other Mediterranean plants growing around it, provide ideal conditions for birdlife. Lake Kournas also has several small sandy beaches and is a popular destination for families and nature lovers.
There are pedaloes, paddle boards and canoes available for hire, and the clear waters of the lake are also perfect for swimming. Several well-signposted paths lead around the lake, for those wishing to explore the surroundings on foot. From Vryses, you can also follow the Boutakas River to one of the oldest Greek arched bridges from the Hellenistic era, called Elliniki Kamar (the Greek Arch). Nearby you will find the stone sculpture of the Dragon of Kalamitsi, next to Agios Antonios church in Kalamitsi Alexandrou. A local hermit is said to have carved the dragon.
The village of Gavalohori (Gavalochori) – with several 500 year old houses still standing -, has been designated by the Ministry of Culture as a ‘historically preserved place with a landscape of particular natural beauty’. As you walk through the cobbled streets, admiring the quaint stone buildings and the beautiful bougainvillea, make sure to also visit the Historical & Folklore Museum of Gavalochori. This interesting ethnographic museum is set in a charming traditional Cretan house and will take you on a journey through time.
You can learn about local craftsmanship, art, culture and traditions. Amongst other treasures, there are historical weapons, such as swords and guns, on display, embroidered dresses, handmade furniture and old icons. An English guide is usually available to take you around the house and treat you to lots of detailed information about the exhibits.
The village also boasts no fewer than 12 churches within a short walk from the main square, all of which are still in use and often host local festivals, – but for another dose of local history, why not check out the Pre-industrial Olive Mill of Gavalachori, built in the 17th century. Carefully restored since, it provides information, in both Greek and English, detailing the history of the mill and olive oil production in the area.
Those looking for lunch in verdant surroundings (particularly on a hot day), may want to visit the cooling springs and waterfalls of Argyroupoli on the edge of Apokronas, a charming village in the foothills of the White mountains, where streams and babbling brooks flow through the hills. The village was erected on the site of the ancient city of Lappa, once a powerful Cretan municipality. Remains from later civilisations, such as Roman mosaic floors, can still be spotted in the area.
The springs have been somewhat ‘tamed’ over the years, so don’t expect huge natural waterfalls, but this is a wonderfully fresh spot for lunch at one of the many excellent tavernas under the dense, shady canopies of tall trees, with the water around you providing a refreshing environment and relaxing soundtrack to your meal. Alternatively, you can pick up some sweet and savoury treats for a picnic by the streams from one of the great bakeries in the village and fill your bottle with the cold water that originates from a spring in a cave beneath the chapel of Agia Domani.
On route to visiting the historic centre of Chania, which is not to be missed when staying in West Crete, a short detour on the outskirts of the city takes you to the brand new Archeological Museum of Chania, situated in an elevated position with views of the coast and the sea.
“The museum boasts 5,230 square metres of exhibition space and more than 3,500 artefacts. Objects include findings from excavations in both the city and wider area of Chania, exhibited in chronological order to represent the flow of civilisations through Chania’s long history. You’ll be able to learn all about the social, administrative, religious, commercial and everyday life of the region’s citizens and leaders, through exhibits that take you from Prehistoric times (10th-8th centuries BC) up to the Roman occupation ending in the 3rd century AD. “(Discover Greece)
The area around Chania’s old town, already inhabited 5,000 years ago, was the site of a Minoan Palace then called Kydonia. In the area of Kastelli Hill, the citadel of Chania harbour, archaeological excavations have discovered ceramic sherds and finds that date from the Neolithic to the Late Minoan period. The site, together with 5 other ‘Minoan Palace Centers’, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2025.
From the mid 13th to the mid 17th century, under Venetian occupation, the city was called ‘La Canea’, it then was named ‘Hanya’ under the Ottomans, who declared it the island’s capital. In 1912, after a lengthy fight against the Turkish rule, Chania joined the Kingdom of Greece. When visiting the beautiful historic centre with its stunning harbour front, the architectural styles of the Ottoman and Venetian reigns are evident. There are several hamams, built around 1645, one of which today houses a restaurant, while the famous ‘Mosque of Hasan Kucuk’ between the harbour and the old arsenals, now hosts exhibitions and events.
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